What a Surrendered Life Looks Like

What does it mean to live fully surrendered to Jesus Christ? Let’s delve into the powerful meaning of this phrase and discover what a surrendered life looks like.

2 Corinthians 5:14 declares, “Christ’s love urges us on. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive His new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them” (NLT).

Friend, because Jesus Christ laid down His life for us, His love compels us to lay our lives down for Him. This means we longer live for ourselves but for Him alone. We live each day with our hearts fully surrendered to Him, ready to do His will.

What does living such a surrendered life look like?

1. A Surrendered Life Pursues Intimacy with God

Each day, dedicate time to commune with the Lord. For when you love someone, you desire to spend time with them. Friend, did you know that God feels this way about you, and He longs for you to feel this way about Him?

Scripture declares, “you were called by Him into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (I Corinthians 1:9).

Oh friend, God invites us to draw near to Him. When we do, He draws near to us (James 4:8a). So come and accept the invitation to commune with the One who delights in you (Psalm 147:11). Then find rest, find strength, find peace, find joy as you linger in His presence (Matthew 11:28, Psalm 29:11, Psalm 16:11b). For only He can fully satisfy. So come, He is waiting for you.

Communing with the Lord also includes reading and studying the Bible, which is God’s Word to us.

As you study His Word:

Look for what it reveals about God and His character.
Is there something you don’t understand? Ask Him to provide clarity.
Is there something that really spoke to you or touched your heart? Then, thank Him.
Note the truths you learn and meditate on them, so they penetrate deep into your heart.

Following these practices prevents hurriedly reading through a passage and allows dialogue with God.

By studying His Word, we discover who God is, what His promises are, how He sees us, how He interacts with us and how He wants us to live. As we grow in our knowledge of the Lord and spend time communing with Him, our love for Him and His Word will grow as well.

2. A Surrendered Life Lives by the Spirit

Instead of living to please our flesh, we live to please God by offering our bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). For “just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” (I Peter 1:15).

To live holy for the Lord requires mindfulness of our thoughts, our words and our actions. How do we stay mindful and live holy? Only by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:16 advises “walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]” (AMP).

Friend, we face a daily battle with our flesh. But the Holy Spirit empowers us to resist the passions and desires of our flesh. Therefore, each day and throughout the day, submit to the Spirit to remain attentive to His guidance and conviction.

At times though, we may fail to obey the Spirit and yield to our flesh. Whenever this occurs, go to the Lord and humbly repent of your sin. Then He will forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).

In summary, I Peter 4:1-2 instructs, “Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh [and died for us], arm yourselves [like warriors] with the same purpose [being willing to suffer for doing what is right and pleasing God], because whoever has suffered in the flesh [being like-minded with Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [having stopped pleasing the world], so that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living for human appetites and desires, but [lives] for the will and purpose of God” (AMP).

Because Jesus gave His life for us, let’s offer our lives as a living sacrifice, choosing to live each day for our Lord.

3. A Surrendered Life Walks by Faith

No matter what happens in the world or what circumstances we may face, resolve to stand firm by anchoring yourself to God’s Word. For Scripture proclaims, “The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does” (Psalm 145:13b).

His Word promises that “God will work together in all things for the ultimate good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:28-29a).

Even though we may not understand or see how, choose to trust His faithfulness. Our God is for us, and nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:31, 38-39). He holds us securely in His hand.

Plus, our struggles here on earth are temporary. They do not compare to the glory that awaits us in heaven (Romans 8:18). “So, we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

Therefore, while here on earth, let’s look to the Lord to sustain us. Lay every care, worry and fear at Jesus’ feet. For He will enable us to persevere through anything we may face.

Hebrews 12:1-3 advises, “Let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you won’t grow weary and give up” (CSB).

With our focus on Jesus, remember all the hardship He endured. Knowing Jesus gave up everything impels us to persevere and walk by faith.

4. A Surrendered Life Accomplishes Good Works

Scripture states that “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).

Because of this, may we long to accomplish these works and give glory to God.

Friend, Jesus is the perfect example of a servant who remained focused on accomplishing all that the Father desired for Him to do (John 4:34). Consider all the rejection He faced, the opposition He encountered and the suffering He endured. Despite all of this, Jesus let nothing deter Him from accomplishing the Father’s will. He remained focused by spending time in prayer with His Father.

Oh friend, may we imitate Jesus and remain laser focused on accomplishing all that God has prepared for us. When others don’t understand or attempt to hinder you, go to the Lord and pour out your heart before Him. Jesus understands and will strengthen you to persevere in doing good.

Plus, Jesus knew His Father delighted in Him and was pleased with Him. Nothing man spoke or planned against Him could change that. Knowing these things propelled Him to press on.

Friend, the same is true for us. We are His treasured possession, and He delights in us too. May we remember this as we strive to accomplish the good works God has prepared.

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (I Corinthians 15:58).

Resolve to Live a Surrendered Life

From our study, we see that living a surrendered life involves pursuing intimacy with God, living by the Spirit, walking by faith, and accomplishing good works for God’s glory.

Because Jesus gave His all for us, may we give our all for Him by living a fully surrendered life.

Father, thank You for sending Jesus to die for us so that we could be reconciled back to You. What extravagant love Jesus demonstrated through His willingness to suffer on the cross for us. May we be forever grateful for this extraordinary sacrifice. Because You gave Your all for us, we offer our lives to You and surrender our plans and dreams for Yours. May Your will be done in and through us. You alone are worthy of all glory, honor and praise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Questions for Reflection

What hinders me from living a fully surrendered life?
Which of these disciplines is hardest for me? (pursuing intimacy with God, living by the Spirit, walking by faith, accomplishing good works)

Additional Scripture for Meditation

Titus 2:12-14, “instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works” (CSB).

2 Corinthians 7:1, “Therefore, since we have these [great and wonderful] promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, completing holiness [living a consecrated life—a life set apart for God’s purpose] in the fear of God” (AMP).